Tow hitch capacity question.

[Lash]

Hi everyone, first time poster, as I have recently bought a 2nd hand 2005 WH Jeep Grand Cherokkee, very clean, standard vehicle and am happy with it so far.

I have done alot of searching and reading here, but couldnt find my exact answer. I hope someone can help me. (im learning)

Anyway, We are soon to be doing some caravaning, and looking at the plate under the jeep mopar towbar receiver it says MAX TOWING CAPACITY 3500KG and MAX STATIC BALL LOAD 140KG.

I will be towing a 19ft Regent cruiser with a Tare of 1450KG, ATM 1950KG and have measured the ball weight this morning, with a partially loaded van at around 150-165KG (est probably 200KG ball weight fully loaded, maybe a little less).

Now my Question. Obviously I am over the stated ball weight. Does this mean I need to get just a new heavier duty hitch receiver part. (the bit that is bolted onto the bar/frame of the car), or do I need to get a whole new towbar frame or something? to me it looks like the frame at the back of the car is all welded in, and is part of the car... ie how it comes from the factory?

Now a another sub question, It sounds like I will need a hayman reese weight distribution hitch as well (medium duty for my ball weight). does this 'lighten the load on the 140KG tow receiver, or in actual fact reinforce the fact that I need a larger capacity tow receiver.

If so, any preferred suppliers for such gear?

Thanks for your help.

[chrisk]

Lash,
I have a 2009 WH GC and tow a van as many others do. I have the standard factory tow bar fitted to mine and it & the vehicle are rated to to up to 3500kg's. The ball weight is stated up to 320 or so kg but that all depends on what else you are carrying in the vehicle. My van is around 200kg all fitted out for travel and I use a medium hayman reese WDH with it and have had no issues or problems of any kind. As you probably know the job of the WDH is to move the weight added to the tow ball by the van or trailer back to the front wheels so restoring the correct attitude and balance of the vehicle. I am not going to go into a discussion about WDH's here as I know there will be all sorts of hell will break loose. Best advise is to go & see your local HR ajent and discuss it all with him. If he's any good he won't try to stich you up with a new tow bar, just get you set up rigt and make sure that all is safe. Best of luck with your hunt....

[Lash]

Are you sure yours is stated as 320KG? Have you checked the plate under the towbar? Mine definately says 140KG, however from an american site I have found this for the 2005-10 WK (our WH) tow package

"Hitch Receiver, 7,400-lb tow rating, 750-lb tongue weight rating with weight distributing equipment; otherwise 2,000-lb tow rating, 350-lb tongue weight rating; 2 inch opening, with receiver plug"

Source: http://www.jeepworld.com/accessories...e/trailerh.htm

So assuming i have the same specced factory towbar, and I am using a WDH I should be right? as 750lb = 340KG. (heaps for me)

To contradict that again, my manual just says 140KG.
and from what I have learnt regarding the WDH is that is doesnt actually change the weight on the ball just distributes it differently. ie stiffens the connection.

But your right, I might go and chat to a specialist.

[deserthucker]

My 2003 had the wrong details on the tow bar plate.
They later replaced it with the correct details.

Most have a static weight around 10% of the rated weight.
Also can you move your load around in the van. But then you do want 10-15% tongue weight. 190kg
3.5t hitch should have 350kg tongue weight.
Van that size I would use a WDH helps all round

[hills46]

My Jeep tow bar is stickered as having a tongue weight of 327kg or 158kg if you have the 3.7L model which would suggest the limiting factor is not the strength of the bar and mount. I regularly tow with a tongue weight of 200kg+ and don't use a WDH but did go with heavy duty springs.

[chrisk]

Lash,

Have a look at the attached photo that is on the door of my GC. It clearly shows 350kg towing with ball of 327kg for all models except 3.7l v6 engine. There should be one on your vehicle but maybe it's gone or been damaged. You have to remember that this is for the factory tow bar. The normal HR bar would be the same. My previous advice about going to see a specialist still stands.

[Lash]

Thanks so much for your replies I really appreciate it.
ChrisK, I was suprised to find a sticker on my drivers door similar to yours that says 3500KG towing and 327KG max tongue load capacity. Which I must say does make me feel better!

I should have pointed out that I have the 3.0 CRD model.

very interesting indeed, I guess I'll just get a WDH and see how she goes.

Thanks again.